[The evaluation of fat and muscles of the arm in the nutritional study in pre-school children in Madrid].

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the body composition of the pre-school children in the city of Madrid as a part of their nutritional evaluation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven hundred and three healthy children of both sexes were studied by means of a cross-sectional sample. The children, between 2 and 6 years of age, attended nursery schools in the city of Madrid. The study evaluated the arm muscle and fat areas through an anthropometric assessment. After measuring the triceps skinfold and the arm circumference, we obtained the arm muscle circumference, the arm area, and the arm muscle and fat areas. Once all data were gathered, they were statistically evaluated.

RESULTS

The parameters studied reveal a normal distribution in the population in question. The mean values of muscle and fat areas were normal in relationship to age.